Linda's talk
"Studying Torah: Learning to Chant, Learning to Appreciate"
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
O'Shaughnessy Room, O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library
All are Welcome -- Refreshments Provided
Meet Linda Hulbert
Q: Where were you born?
A: "Racine, Wisconsin. Mother from Green Bay and Dad from Racine. Grandparents from Lithuania and that part of the world which is sometimes Poland and sometimes Russia. When they were there it was Russia."
Q: Any sibings?
A: "I have one sister who lives in Angel Fire, New Mexico (ski resort city) and doesn't ski. Go figure."
Q: What was your faith background?
A: "Everyone is Jewish. My grandparents came to this country at the turn of the last century and were Orthodox Jews. My parents practiced Conservative Judaism. My husband, Kent and I belong to a Reform Temple. I think of myself as a Conservative Jew who belongs to a Reform Temple."
Q: Do you have any memories of your early education you would like to share?
A: "I was not a good student until I hit 6th grade. I did well until I went to college at Washington University. Then I did well in my graduate programs."
Q: What did you want to be when you grew up?
A: "I had wanted to be a Rabbi. However, when I was growing up, girls couldn't be rabbis. The first woman rabbi was ordained in 1972 in the Reform movement and the Conservative movement in 1983. By 1972, I had decided to become a librarian. My mother worked in the children's department of the Racine Public Library. I have one aunt, public librarian - Marion-the-librarian; an uncle, University Librarian at the University of Wisconsin; and a brother-in law, Dean of University Libraries, Oklahoma State University until he retired two years ago. So, I have library paste in my veins, not blood. It was a good decision."
Q: Your professional background is quite extensive - what are highlights for you of these accomplishments?
A: "My most important publications have been in the area of collection development, particularly in medical libraries. My current external work is serving on the editorial review board for Biomedical Central, an online, open access, peer reviewed journal."
Q: What do you enjoy doing when you're not at work or in temple?
A: "Skiing, reading, crossword puzzles."
Q: What does your faith mean to you?
A: "Everything. It shapes everyhting I do and have done, from whom I dated to whom I married. To where I went to college (large Jewish population), to how I live my life and how we raised 'our' children. It shapes my world view. Judaism touches my soul, stirs my intellect, directs my choices of action -- hopefully, to ethical action. However, in light of all of that I do not believe that there is only one path to God, goodness, honorable behavior, or ethics. This is just mine."
Q: What do you like about your life in Minnesota?
A: "I love Minneapolis. It's a great place to live with more in the arts than I have either the time or money to take advantage of. I prefer this weather to St. Louis, by yards. It's a great quality of life."
Q: Anything else you'd like to say?
A: "I think you've covered it."
Thank you, Linda.
